Roseland University Prep in San Francisco, California by Aidlin Darling Design

Article source: Aidlin Darling Design

Roseland University Prep is a small, unique, college preparatory charter high school in the heart of Roseland, a community of extreme adversity and need within Santa Rosa.

Formerly housed in a dilapidated window-less warehouse, the Charter School District received state funding and a matching grant to create a new school. As the funds to construct the school were quite modest, the design team was tasked with creating an extremely cost-effective design that met numerous requirements, as well as retaining the spirit of the school.

Image Courtesy © Aidlin Darling Design

• Architects: Aidlin Darling Design
• Project: Roseland University Prep
• Location: San Francisco, California, USA
• Software used: Vectorworks

Image Courtesy © Aidlin Darling Design

The form of the school is derived from the simple agrarian barn of rural areas around the site. The single gabled roof and corrugated metal cladding speak to the rural setting and the cost effectiveness needed to meet the tight budget. Through a few strategic moves, the simple barn structure is opened up both figuratively and experientially.  By pulling the form apart and allowing the natural landscape in, light and nature are immediately accessible to the students.  Across from this courtyard, a double height gathering space with bleacher seating opens to the corridor and creates a connection between the courtyard and the adjacent playing fields. This space coupled with the courtyard forms a central cross axis to the building and an eddy within the circulation corridor along the building’s length, a space for students to meet casually, as well as for formal teaching or community gatherings.  The multifunction and centrality of this gathering space reinforces the family-like nature of the student community.

Image Courtesy © Aidlin Darling Design

Image Courtesy © Aidlin Darling Design

Skewering the barn structure is the circulation spine, clad primarily in glass and running the length of the building.  At each end, the second floor circulation spine extends beyond the building structure to form breakout spaces for the adjacent classrooms. The glazing of this spine allows light to spill into the interior while providing views of the nearby landscape.

The materials of the school further augment the school’s experiential and nurturing qualities.  All corridor and classroom walls are clad in natural plywood and homosote panels, providing warmth and texture while integrating a pin-up surface for the learning environment.  These material choices further reflect the agrarian context of the site while providing an affordable and durable building without compromising the essential spirit of the project.

Image Courtesy © Aidlin Darling Design

Image Courtesy © Aidlin Darling Design

In addition to providing an inspired academic environment for the students, the school also doubles as a community center off hours. For the primarily Latino community, numerous traditional dance festivals are performed throughout the year, reinforcing the rich history and culture of the local community. The building provides an armature for teaching about and celebrating the community’s diverse ancestry.

Since its opening, the school has been lauded by the Santa Rosa community as a beacon of education and promise for the Roseland University Prep students and the larger community.  As noted by the Publisher of the local paper, The Press Democrat, “If ever there was an example of a school building that could positively impact the culture and achievements of its student, it is found at Roseland Prep.“

Image Courtesy © Aidlin Darling Design

Image Courtesy © Aidlin Darling Design

Image Courtesy © Aidlin Darling Design

Image Courtesy © Aidlin Darling Design

Image Courtesy © Aidlin Darling Design

Image Courtesy © Aidlin Darling Design

Image Courtesy © Aidlin Darling Design

Image Courtesy © Aidlin Darling Design

Image Courtesy © Aidlin Darling Design

Image Courtesy © Aidlin Darling Design

Image Courtesy © Aidlin Darling Design

Image Courtesy © Aidlin Darling Design

Tags: California, USA

Categories: Campus, Educational Center, Educational Institute, School, University, Vectorworks

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